Hiding in the sand, splitting into many places, starting with Arkham

Hiruzen Sarutobi steadied himself, leaning on his Adamantine Staff, his aged eyes filled with horror as he looked at Shimizu!

How could Lord Second's Flying Thunder God Technique have been leaked?

How many people in all of Konoha were qualified to come into contact with this technique?

Was there a spy?

Danzo's face flashed through the Third Hokage's mind.

No, it couldn't be Danzo.

Although he had many selfish motives, Konoha was indeed first and foremost in Danzo's heart, and he wouldn't leak the Flying Thunder God Technique.

That is to say, the Flying Thunder God Technique, which shook the ninja world, had been deciphered!

Just like the Shadow Clone Technique developed by Tobirama Senju, another ninjutsu from Konoha had been deciphered by other ninja villages!

So many years after Tobirama Senju's death, Konoha had only produced one Minato Namikaze with the talent to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Others, whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi or Orochimaru, a ninjutsu genius, had failed to master this forbidden technique.

But he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had lived most of his life without learning his teacher's signature ninjutsu, yet it was deciphered by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old young man from Sunagakure.

What kind of talent was this!

Even more terrifying than Lord Second back then, could it be that he would really become a person like Madara and the First Hokage?

What would happen to Konoha then?

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's killing intent towards Shimizu had reached its peak.

But he also knew that since the other party possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, it would be very difficult for them to keep him here today.

Not to mention that he himself had suffered serious injuries and his combat power had been damaged.

This plan could be considered a failure. What he should consider now is how to preserve Konoha's main force.

Because Sunagakure's reinforcements were about to arrive!

These three thousand Konoha ninjas were all Konoha's elites. Orochimaru and Jiraiya were also the two most important people in Konoha's middle generation, who could maintain their peak for at least twenty more years and were qualified to take over as Hokage, guarding the growth of Konoha's next two generations.

This force must not be lost here. Once it was really lost here, Konoha's defense against Sunagakure on the western front could be completely declared over.

Considering the huge pressure Konoha was facing on the other two fronts, it could basically be declared that Konoha had been defeated and severely damaged in this ninja world war.

This was absolutely unacceptable to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because this meant that he, the 'Strongest Hokage of All Time,' would be nailed to the pillar of shame in Konoha's history!

"The Sunagakure ninja squad has arrived ten kilometers away! The estimated number is over five thousand!"

A Konoha sensory ninja suddenly looked up and said.

Shikuro Aburame, who was temporarily in charge of commanding the Konoha army, looked at a Hyuga clan ninja on the other side.

"Hizashi!"

"Sunagakure's advance reinforcements have arrived! It's Magnet Release Rasa and Scorch Release Pakura!"

All the Konoha ninjas couldn't help but turn pale.

A figure covered in blood was smashed to the ground like a broken rag doll, then torn apart, and a dark black python crawled out.

Orochimaru nimbly crawled out of the snake's mouth, wiping the mucus from his face.

"Lord Third, we should retreat. If we are dragged down by this guy, we may be annihilated!"

The Third Hokage endured his injuries, spitting blood while struggling to block Shimizu's attack with his staff.

Jiraiya summoned Gamaken and Gamahiro to serve as the main force, blocking most of the pressure.

"Orochimaru, this guy is too fierce, we can't leave now! You and the old man take the main force and retreat first!"

Jiraiya said urgently.

Now he was the strongest and in the best condition, so he would definitely be the best at covering the retreat.

"No, Jiraiya, you and Orochimaru retreat first!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi dropped his old-fashioned armor and said in a deep voice.

He was now injured and his movements had begun to be affected. Dropping the heavy armor would actually improve his combat power at this time.

"Old man, you…"

The Third Hokage swept Jiraiya away with a staff.

They had to leave behind a strong enough top combat force to possibly stop Shimizu for a moment.

And Shimizu's strength was too strong. Considering the upcoming reinforcements from Sunagakure Village, the person covering the retreat was destined to die.

Rather than letting Jiraiya stay, it was better to let him, the Third Hokage, who was much older and seriously injured, stay behind.

Orochimaru decisively stretched out pythons from his sleeves, wrapped them around Jiraiya's body, and pulled him back.

"Those who are willing to stay and cover the retreat with the Third Hokage, stay behind. Genichi Shimura, you take some people to stop Rasa and Pakura, delay them. Konoha ninjas under the age of thirty, who are not seriously injured, must retreat, leave now!"

"Orochimaru…"

"Shut up, you idiot, we've already lost! This is the best choice for us now!"

Jiraiya's current state was better than the Third Hokage's, but what about after he stayed behind to cover the retreat?

Could a seriously injured Third Hokage still play a role in the subsequent pursuit?

Hiruzen Sarutobi now had a death wish, and even if it was difficult, he had to accept it!

At this moment, the Third Hokage, who was fighting desperately, thought of the moment when the Second Hokage covered the retreat for his disciples before his death and appointed him as the next Hokage.

Now, it was his turn to cover the retreat for his disciples!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's abilities were indeed insufficient, and he had many selfish motives, but the most important reason why he was chosen by the Second Hokage as the next Hokage was that he did not lack the courage to fight to the death for Konoha, and he had the spirit to put Konoha above his own life.

"Pfft!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spat out blood, but he didn't realize it, clinging to Shimizu like a madman.

"Orochimaru! From now on, you are the Hokage!"

Orochimaru's speed in gathering the team couldn't help but stop.

"Jiraiya, you and Tsunade, and Minato, remember to assist Orochimaru well!"

Dai Ivan punched the Third Hokage's shoulder again, injuring him.

"Konoha ninjas, retreat! Don't waste the opportunity that the Third Hokage has won with his life! We don't have time!"

Orochimaru issued his first order as the next Hokage.

It was just that many Konoha ninjas were unwilling to retreat.

The Third Hokage was going to fight to the death to cover the retreat, how could they be willing to give up!

"Konoha ninjas, retreat! This is the Hokage's order!"

Retreat, this was Orochimaru's first order as Hokage, and also Hiruzen Sarutobi's last order as the previous Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head, dodging Shimizu's Kusanagi Sword.

A few strands of hair, along with half an ear, were cut off by the sword energy, and he still pounced towards Shimizu like a mad dog.

This old guy had completely gone mad!

The Konoha ninjas who stayed behind to cover the retreat had also gone mad!

During this period, the Third Hokage wasn't as senile as he would become in his later years, which led to a disconnect with the core strength of Konoha, resulting in few people coming to his aid during the Konoha Crush.

On the contrary, the Third Hokage's prestige in Konoha was still very high at this time.

He led the village through the First Shinobi World War, and his performance in the Second Shinobi World War was also commendable, although he suffered a minor setback against Sunagakure, it wasn't a major issue.

Conversely, during his tenure, he cultivated the Sannin. Relying on the foundation left by the previous two Hokage, Konoha had entered its golden age. While the Sarutobi clan and others reaped significant benefits, the Third Hokage still valued the village's development, supporting the common people. Coupled with the various dividends brought about by rapid development, there were still many loyalists in Konoha willing to fight to the death for the Third Hokage.

The hundreds of Konoha ninjas left behind to cover the retreat, with death in their hearts, still caused Shimizu some trouble.

These people didn't seek to kill him, only to hinder him, even if only for a second, even if only to block one attack for the Third Hokage, they rushed towards Shimizu one after another.

Even if the price was their lives.

After all, it was the overlord of the shinobi world for the past forty years, the strongest ninja village.

Even in times of crisis, Konoha could unleash extremely powerful strength, let alone the fact that the current Konoha hadn't been ruined by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo into the weakened state it would be in twenty years later.

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Shimizu's eyes flickered, and he once again manipulated the puppets to throw countless kunai towards the direction where Orochimaru was leading the team.

However, at this moment, the Third Hokage threw a shuriken, which then multiplied into countless shuriken raining down from the sky, using quantity to overcome quality, blocking the kunai with blood coordinates thrown by Shimizu.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!

This A-rank ninjutsu was originally invented by the Third Hokage. Even using roof tiles as shuriken could unleash considerable power, let alone at this moment.

"Shadow Tentacle Technique!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Konoha ninjas also cast ninjutsu, blocking together.

Even though Shimizu tried to escape several times, there were always Konoha ninjas who weren't afraid of death rushing up to fight desperately, only seeking to hinder him for a moment.

These ninjas, whom Shimizu could easily kill, at this moment, caused no small trouble to his pursuit.

Even under their cover, several puppets, including Big Ivan, suffered some damage from Hiruzen Sarutobi's attacks.

"Very well, if that dead snake and colored toad are determined to escape, even I would find it difficult to kill them. However, being able to leave your life behind is also worthwhile."

Shimizu slapped to death a member of the Akimichi clan who was charging towards him with Human Bullet Tank, said to the Third Hokage, and then his figure disappeared instantly.

"Clang!"

The Kusanagi Sword and the Adamantine Staff collided again, the ear-piercing metallic sound and shockwaves appearing continuously, playing a clanging song of slaughter.

"Little brat from Sunagakure, it's not certain who will be left behind! This old man will risk his life today to kill you, this great enemy of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hair stood on end, and his thick beard was stained red with blood.

"You want to die with me? Do you have the strength?"

Shimizu smiled dismissively, but actually took a few steps back, letting a few puppets go first.

The old guy's strength is still very strong. When he starts fighting without regard for his life, he is still difficult to deal with.

The fight of a trapped beast before death is often the most valiant.

Since Orochimaru and Jiraiya have run away, then so be it. The Third Hokage's life is destined to be left here, it's just a matter of sooner or later.

Moreover, reinforcements have already arrived, and he is now even more confident of victory.

"Scorch Release: Overheating Consecutive Kills!"

Scorching fireballs, accompanied by whistling winds, rained down on the Konoha ninjas who had taken the initiative to stay behind to cover the retreat.

The momentum was not small, but not many people died.

Those who could stay behind to cover the retreat would not be too weak in the first place, and those who could survive until now still had some skills to some extent.

But this was only a signal announcing Pakura's arrival.

"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Tsunami!"

Gold dust surged like a wave.

Rasa stood on a cloud formed of gold dust, his arms crossed, and gold dust turned into sharp thorns that shot out from his side.

"Everyone! Scatter and run! This old man will be your last line of defense!"

The Third Hokage knocked away the little boy beside him with his staff, and gasped slightly.

No one ran away.

"I'm sorry, Third Hokage, ever since I graduated from the Ninja Academy and became a genin, I have been following your orders, but this time, I may have to disobey."

A Konoha jonin, whose arm had been blown off halfway by the fat man, held his ninja sword with one hand, his eyes red.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, only the movement of his staff, which had originally slowed down slightly, became even more powerful than before.

"Pakura, Rasa, be careful, pay attention to keeping your distance, don't be dragged down by this old guy before he dies."

Shimizu said indifferently, while slashing to death a Konoha ninja wearing a green vest, while instructing.

The Big Ivan armor on his body automatically detached and, under Shimizu's control, rushed towards the Third Hokage.

Seeing this scene, a trace of helplessness flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes, which was quickly replaced by a firm expression.

Soon, Sunagakure's five thousand ninja, led by Sasori and Kazekami Arashi, also arrived nearby, surrounding this area.

Unless something outrageous happened, such as Hashirama Senju suddenly resurrecting, breaking into the encirclement, and annihilating Sunagakure, then it could be determined that the Third Hokage of Konoha, the Hokage who had been in power for more than twenty years, was destined to die here.

The old guy's strength is still very strong, his ninjutsu, taijutsu, chakra reserves, endurance, combat experience, and willpower are all top-notch among Kage-level powerhouses. Even after fighting until now, with multiple wounds on his body, he still maintains a high level of performance.

However, the Konoha ninjas who stayed behind to cover the retreat died one after another on the road to charge.

The Third Hokage didn't try to save them, but tried to cause more damage to Sunagakure before he died.

Even if they couldn't kill one more person, they had to destroy one more puppet and cause a little more damage to Sunagakure ninjas.

With Orochimaru and the others having safely evacuated, this was the last thing they could do for Konoha.

The battle was still ongoing, but the noise was getting smaller and smaller, and the power that the Third Hokage could exert was also declining little by little with the increase in injuries and the loss of physical strength.